Portable thermoelectric cooling and heating appliance device and method of using

Abstract

A portable thermoelectric cooling and heating appliance device and associated method of using the device are disclosed. The device comprises: a generally rectangular box, a hinge, a generally rectangular lid, a locking means, and a power cord. The box has a divider wall which defines a partition between a left and a right chamber within the box. The box further includes: an outer shell; an insulation layer; a inner shell; a power input plug; a first heat transfer unit; a first network of cooling/heating coils; a first control knob having a first voltage regulator and a first thermostat operationally connected to each other; a first spigot having a first button and a first drain; a second heat transfer unit; a second network of cooling/heating coils; a second control knob having a second voltage regulator and a second thermostat operationally connected to each other; and a second spigot having a second button and a second drain. The hinge is attached to the outer shell of the box. The lid is dimensioned to substantially fit over the top of the box, in which the lid is attached to the hinge, whereby the lid is pivotally attached to the box. The locking means is for locking together the lid to the box, in which a first portion of the locking means is attached to the box, and a second portion of the locking means is attached to the lid. The power cord has a first socket end and a second socket end, in which the first socket end is operationally connectable to the power inlet plug of the box, and the second socket end is operationally connectable to a standard cigarette lighter power output in an automobile. The method of using the device comprises the steps of adjoining, affixing, allowing, closing, disconnecting, grabbing, inserting, letting, lowering, obtaining, placing, positioning, pressing, pulling, pushing, raising, removing, setting, taking, turning, and unplugging.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:  
     
       1. A portable thermoelectric cooling and heating appliance device, said device comprising: 
       a generally rectangular box having a top, four sides, a bottom and a divider wall, said divider wall defining a partition between a left and a right chamber of said box, said box including:  
       an outer shell;  
       an insulation layer attached to said outer shell;  
       a inner shell attached to said insulation layer;  
       a power input plug attached to said outer shell;  
       a first heat transfer unit attached to said left chamber of said box, said first heat transfer unit electrically connected to said power input plug;  
       a first network of cooling/heating coils attached to said left chamber of said box, said first network of cooling/heating coils operatively attached to said first heat transfer unit;  
       a first control knob having a first voltage regulator and a first thermostat operationally connected to each other, said first control knob attached to said left chamber of said box, said first control knob operatively attached to said first heat transfer unit;  
       a first spigot having a first button and a first drain, said first spigot attached to said left chamber of said box and extending outwardly from said box, when said first button of said first spigot is depressed then said first drain is fluidly connected between said left chamber of said box with a surrounding area outside of said device, when said first button is release and not depressed then said first drain is not fluidly connected between said left chamber of said box with the surrounding area outside of said device;  
       a second heat transfer unit attached to said right chamber of said box, said second heat transfer unit electrically connected to said power input plug;  
       a second network of cooling/heating coils attached to said right chamber of said box, said second network of cooling/heating coils operatively attached to said second heat transfer unit;  
       a second control knob having a second voltage regulator and a second thermostat operationally connected to each other, said second control knob attached to said right chamber of said box, said second control knob operatively attached to said second heat transfer unit; and  
       a second spigot having a second button and a second drain, said second spigot attached to said right chamber of said box and extending outwardly from said box, when said second button of said second spigot is depressed then said second drain is fluidly connected between said right chamber of said box with the surrounding area outside of said device, when said second button is release and not depressed then said second drain is not fluidly connected between said right chamber of said box with the surrounding area outside of said device;  
       a hinge attached to said outer shell of said box;  
       a generally rectangular lid dimensioned to substantially fit over the top of said box, said lid attached to said hinge, wherein said lid is pivotally attached to said box, when said lid is pivoted over the top of said box then said device is in a closed position, when said lid is pivoted away from the top of said box then said device is in an open position, said lid including:  
       an exterior shell;  
       an insulation lining attached to said exterior shell of said lid; and  
       an interior shell attached to said insulation lining of said lid;  
       a means for locking together said lid to said box, a first portion of said locking means is attached to said box, and a second portion of said locking means is attached to said lid; and  
       a power cord having a first socket end and a second socket end, said first socket end is operationally connectable to said power inlet plug of said box, said second socket end is operationally connectable to a standard cigarette lighter power output in an automobile.  
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a handle attached to said outer shell of said box. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a rubber gasket attached to said top of said box. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  wherein said locking means comprises a latch pivotally attached to said exterior shell of said lid; and a coupling pin attached to said outer shell of said box, wherein said latch and said coupling pin are coupleable together, when said box is in the closed position and when said latch is pivoted towards said coupling pin then said locking means is in a locked mode, when said box is in the closed position and when said latch is pivoted away from said coupling pin then said locking means is in an open mode. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein said locking means comprising: a first fabric swath having a first exposed contact surface, said first fabric swath is attached to said exterior shell of said lid; and a second fabric swath having a second exposed contact surface, said second fabric swath is attached to said outer shell of said box, wherein said first exposed contact surface of said first fabric swath and second exposed contact surface of said second fabric swath are interconnectable together, when said box is in the closed position and when said first fabric swath is pivoted towards said second fabric swath so that said first exposed contact surface of said first fabric swath interconnects with said second exposed contact surface of said second fabric swath then said locking means is in a locked mode, when said box is in the closed position and when said first fabric swath is pivoted away from said second fabric swath so that said first exposed contact surface of said first fabric swath does not interconnect with said second exposed contact surface of said second fabric swath then said locking means is in an open mode. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein said first contact surface of said first fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule hooks extending outwardly from said first contact surface of said first fabric swath; and wherein said second contact surface of said second fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule loops extending outwardly from said second contact surface of said second fabric swath. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 5  wherein said first contact surface of said first fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule loops extending outwardly from said first contact surface of said first fabric swath; and wherein said second contact surface of said second fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule hooks extending outwardly from said second contact surface of said second fabric swath. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1  wherein said inner shell of said box is made of aluminum. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1  wherein said insulation layer of said box is made of foam insulation. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1  wherein said outer shell of said box is made of plastic. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10  wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, cellulosic polymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, polystyrene-polyacryl mixtures, polysiloxanes, urethane-acryl copolymers, siloxane-urethane copolymers, polyurethane-polymethacryl mixtures, silicone-acryl copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1  wherein said exterior shell of said lid is made of aluminum. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1  wherein said insulation lining of said lid is made of foam insulation. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1  wherein said interior shell of said lid is made of plastic. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14  wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, cellulosic polymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, polystyrene-polyacryl mixtures, polysiloxanes, urethane-acryl copolymers, siloxane-urethane copolymers, polyurethane-polymethacryl mixtures, silicone-acryl copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1  wherein said hinge comprises an elongated piano hinge. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 1  wherein said first heat transfer unit comprises a Peltier heat transfer unit. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 1  wherein said second heat transfer unit comprises a Peltier heat transfer unit. 
     
     
       19. A portable thermoelectric cooling and heating appliance device, said device consisting essentially of: 
       a generally rectangular box having a top, four sides, a bottom and a divider wall, said divider wall defining a partition between a first and a right chamber of said box, said box including:  
       an outer shell, said outer shell of said box is made of plastic selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, cellulosic polymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, polystyrene-polyacryl mixtures, polysiloxanes, urethane-acryl copolymers, siloxane-urethane copolymers, polyurethanepolymethacryl mixtures, silicone-acryl copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof;  
       an insulation layer attached to said outer shell, wherein said insulation layer of said box is made of foam insulation;  
       a inner shell attached to said insulation layer, wherein said inner shell of said box is made of aluminum;  
       a power input plug attached to said outer shell;  
       a first heat transfer unit attached to said left chamber of said box, said first heat transfer unit electrically connected to said power input plug, wherein said first heat transfer unit comprises a peltier heat transfer unit;  
       a first network of cooling/heating coils attached to said left chamber of said box, said first network of cooling/heating coils operatively attached to said first heat transfer unit;  
       a first control knob having a first voltage regulator and a first thermostat operationally connected to each other, said first control knob attached to said left chamber of said box, said first control knob operatively attached to said first heat transfer unit;  
       a first spigot having a first button and a first drain, said first spigot attached to said left chamber of said box and extending outwardly from said box, when said first button of said first spigot is depressed then said first drain is fluidly connected between said left chamber of said box with a surrounding area outside of said device, when said first button is release and not depressed then said first drain is not fluidly connected between said left chamber of said box with the surrounding area outside of said device;  
       a second heat transfer unit attached to said right chamber of said box, said second heat transfer unit electrically connected to said power input plug, wherein said second heat transfer unit comprises a peltier heat transfer unit;  
       a second network of cooling/heating coils attached to said right chamber of said box, said second network of cooling/heating coils operatively attached to said second heat transfer unit;  
       a second control knob having a second voltage regulator and a second thermostat operationally connected to each other, said second control knob attached to said right chamber of said box, said second control knob operatively attached to said second heat transfer unit;  
       a second spigot having a second button and a second drain, said second spigot attached to said right chamber of said box and extending outwardly from said box, when said second button of said second spigot is depressed then said second drain is fluidly connected between said right chamber of said box with the surrounding area outside of said device, when said second button is release and not depressed then said second drain is not fluidly connected between said right chamber of said box with the surrounding area outside of said device; and  
       a handle attached to said outer shell of said box;  
       a hinge attached to said outer shell of said box, wherein said hinge comprises an elongated piano hinge;  
       a generally rectangular lid dimensioned to substantially fit over the top of said box, said lid attached to said hinge, wherein said lid is pivotally attached to said box, when said lid is pivoted over the top of said box then said device is in a closed position, when said lid is pivoted away from the top of said box then said device is in an open position, said lid including:  
       an exterior shell, wherein said exterior shell of said lid is made of aluminum;  
       an insulation lining attached to said exterior shell of said lid, wherein said insulation lining of said lid is made of foam insulation;  
       an interior shell attached to said insulation lining of said lid, wherein said interior shell of said lid is made of plastic selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, cellulosic polymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, polystyrene-polyacryl mixtures, polysiloxanes, urethane-acryl copolymers, siloxane-urethane copolymers, polyurethane-polymethacryl mixtures, silicone-acryl copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof;  
       a means for locking together said lid to said box, a first portion of said locking means is attached to said box, and a second portion of said locking means is attached to said lid, wherein said locking means comprising: a first fabric swath having a first exposed contact surface, said first fabric swath is attached to said exterior shell of said lid; and a second fabric swath having a second exposed contact surface, said second fabric swath is attached to said outer shell of said box, wherein said first exposed contact surface of said first fabric swath and second exposed contact surface of said second fabric swath are interconnectable together, when said box is in the closed position and when said first fabric swath is pivoted towards said second fabric swath so that said first exposed contact surface of said first fabric swath interconnects with said second exposed contact surface of said second fabric swath then said locking means is in a locked mode, when said box is in the closed position and when said first fabric swath is pivoted away from said second fabric swath so that said first exposed contact surface of said first fabric swath does not interconnect with said second exposed contact surface of said second fabric swath then said locking means is in an open mode, wherein said first contact surface of said first fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule hooks extending outwardly from said first contact surface of said first fabric swath; and wherein said second contact surface of said second fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule loops extending outwardly from said second contact surface of said second fabric swath; and  
       a power cord having a first socket end and a second socket end, said first socket end is operationally connectable to said power inlet plug of said box, said second socket end is operationally connectable to a standard cigarette lighter power output in an automobile.  
     
     
       20. A method of using a portable thermoelectric cooling and heating appliance device, said method comprising the steps of: 
       obtaining the device comprising:  
       a generally rectangular box having a top, four sides, a bottom and a divider wall, the divider wall defining a partition between a left and a right chamber of the box, the box including:  
       an outer shell, the outer shell of the box is made of plastic selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, cellulosic polymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, polystyrene-polyacryl mixtures, polysiloxanes, urethane-acryl copolymers, siloxane-urethane copolymers, polyurethane-polymethacryl mixtures, silicone-acryl copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof;  
       an insulation layer attached to the outer shell, wherein the insulation layer of the box is made of foam insulation;  
       a inner shell attached to the insulation layer, wherein the inner shell of the box is made of aluminum;  
       a power input plug attached to said outer shell;  
       a first heat transfer unit attached to the left chamber of the box, the first heat transfer unit electrically connected to the power input plug, wherein the first heat transfer unit comprises a peltier heat transfer unit;  
       a first network of cooling/heating coils attached to the left chamber of the box, the first network of cooling/heating coils operatively attached to the first heat transfer unit;  
       a first control knob having a first voltage regulator and a first thermostat operationally connected to each other, said first control knob attached to said left chamber of said box, said first control knob operatively attached to said first heat transfer unit;  
       a first spigot having a first button and a first drain, the first spigot attached to the left chamber of the box and extending outwardly from the box, when the first button of the first spigot is depressed then the first drain is fluidly connected between the left chamber of the box with a surrounding area outside of the device, when the first button is release and not depressed then the first drain is not fluidly connected between the left chamber of the box with the surrounding area outside of the device;  
       a second heat transfer unit attached to the right chamber of the box, the second heat transfer unit electrically connected to the power input plug, wherein the second heat transfer unit comprises a peltier heat transfer unit;  
       a second network of cooling/heating coils attached to the right chamber of the box, the second network of cooling/heating coils operatively attached to the second heat transfer unit;  
       a second control knob having a second voltage regulator and a second thermostat operationally connected to each other, said second control knob attached to said right chamber of said box, said second control knob operatively attached to said second heat transfer unit;  
       a second spigot having a second button and a second drain, the second spigot attached to the right chamber of the box and extending outwardly from the box, when the second button of the second spigot is depressed then the second drain is fluidly connected between the right chamber of the box with the surrounding area outside of the device, when the second button is release and not depressed then the second drain is not fluidly connected between the right chamber of the box with the surrounding area outside of the device; and  
       a handle attached to the outer shell of the box;  
       a hinge attached to the outer shell of the box, wherein the hinge comprises an elongated piano hinge;  
       a generally rectangular lid dimensioned to substantially fit over the top of the box, the lid attached to the hinge, wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the box, when the lid is pivoted over the top of the box then the device is in a closed position, when the lid is pivoted away from the top of the box then the device is in an open position, the lid including:  
       an exterior shell, wherein the exterior shell of the lid is made of aluminum;  
       an insulation lining attached to the exterior shell of the lid, wherein the insulation lining of the lid is made of foam insulation; and  
       an interior shell attached to the insulation lining of the lid, wherein the interior shell of the lid is made of plastic selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, cellulosic polymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, polystyrene-polyacryl mixtures, polysiloxanes, urethane-acryl copolymers, siloxane-urethane copolymers, polyurethane-polymethacryl mixtures, silicone-acryl copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers, and mixtures thereof;  
       a means for locking together the lid to the box, a first portion of the locking means is attached to the box, and a second portion of the locking means is attached to the lid, wherein the locking means comprising: a first fabric swath having a first exposed contact surface, the first fabric swath is attached to the exterior shell of the lid; and a second fabric swath having a second exposed contact surface, the second fabric swath is attached to the outer shell of the box, wherein the first exposed contact surface of the first fabric swath and second exposed contact surface of the second fabric swath are interconnectable together, when the box is in the closed position and when the first fabric swath is pivoted towards the second fabric swath so that the first exposed contact surface of the first fabric swath interconnects with the second exposed contact surface of the second fabric swath then the locking means is in a locked mode, when the box is in the closed position and when the first fabric swath is pivoted away from the second fabric swath so that the first exposed contact surface of the first fabric swath does not interconnect with the second exposed contact surface of the second fabric swath then the locking means is in an open mode, wherein the first contact surface of the first fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule hooks extending outwardly from the first contact surface of the first fabric swath; and wherein the second contact surface of the second fabric swath comprises a plurality of minuscule loops extending outwardly from the second contact surface of the second fabric swath; and  
       a power cord having a first socket end and a second socket end, the first socket end is operationally connectable to the power inlet plug of the box, the second socket end is operationally connectable to a standard cigarette lighter power output in an automobile;  
       positioning the device into an area in the automobile;  
       adjoining the second socket end of the power cord into the standard cigarette lighter power outlet in the automobile;  
       affixing the first socket end of the power cord into the power input plug of the device;  
       pulling pivotally upwards the first fabric swatch so that the first exposed contact surface of the first fabric swath does not interconnect with the second exposed contact surface of the second fabric swath whereby the placing the locking means is in the open mode;  
       raising pivotally the lid away from the top of the box when the locking means is in the open mode, whereby placing the device in the open position;  
       placing a sandwich into the left chamber of the device when the device is in the open position;  
       inserting a can of carbonated soda into the right chamber of the device when the device is in the open position;  
       closing pivotally the lid onto the top of the box, whereby placing the device in the closed position;  
       lowering pivotally downwards the first fabric swatch so that the first exposed contact surface of the first fabric swath interconnects with the second exposed contact surface of the second fabric swath when the device is in the closed position, whereby placing the locking means is in the closed mode;  
       turning the first control knob to enable the first heat transfer unit to warm up the left chamber of the device when the sandwich is placed in the left chamber of the device;  
       setting the second control knob to enable the second heat transfer unit to cool the right chamber of the device;  
       allowing the placed sandwich to warm up;  
       removing the warmed up sandwich from the left chamber of the device;  
       letting the inserted can of carbonated soda cool down;  
       grabbing the cooled down can of carbonated soda from the right chamber of the device;  
       disconnecting the second socket end of the power cord from the standard cigarette lighter power outlet in the automobile;  
       unplugging the first socket end of the power cord from the power input plug of the device; taking the device away from the automobile;  
       pressing downwardly onto the first button of the first spigot so that the first drain is fluidly connected between the left chamber of the box with the surrounding area outside of the device, and  
       pushing downwardly onto the second button of the second spigot so that the second drain is fluidly connected between the right chamber of the box with the surrouding area outside of the device.